Scale



Feb. 6, 1923.. R J ZANONE 1,444,019.

SCALE. FILEDvv JULY 7, 192|, 5 SHEETS-SHEET 'I I II I ,I5-II... I; I y /5 1 I 2o ,l Z5 zz I Z4 I I 5/ II .325, I isili, 47 ze 55 5/ JZ Z7 57,3@ o J4 M 4/ l* 3@ la :MII P 42 39 III I @e4 Il I 6/ 3 33.57 @i 449% o I 60 I 46 06 7'/ '55 50 34 I 7gg; 69

59 I I 67mg 70 I I E o l, L" 72 7@ I, I I @I I I 40 I' l o II I' I 76 757 I [I 75 I 75- I I y v I' 74 |I I I I I I II I. I II Il Il' I I ,MII 'III Ish IIIII'y III INI/ENTOR. [/f/La/mf my?? r ATTORNEY Feb. 6, 1923.

1,444,019 R, LJ4 ZANONE. SCA'LE, l FILED JULY 7, 192]. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2 JNI/ENTOR.

Feb. 6, 1923. 1,444,019

R. uA zANoNE. l

SCALE' Fl LED JULY 7' 192' l 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Feb. 6, 1923.

SCALE. Fl LED JULY 7, 1921 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5 1`,444,019' R. J. ZANDNE Patented Feb. 6, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFECE.

RICHARD J. ZANONE, OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA.

SCALE.

Application filed July T, 1921.

To all whom it muy concern.' U

Be it known that l, RICHARD J. ZANoNn, a citizen ol the United States of America, residing at New Albany, in the county ot Floyd and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful ln'iprovements in ideales, ot which the following is a specifica tion.

This iin ention relates to scales for weighing n'iatcrial and has special rei'erence toan autongiatic dumping scale arranged to weigh and deliver a predetermined quantity of any suitable commodity such as powders, seeds, material in lumps, small articles such as nails or tacks and other like forms ot matter.

One important, object of the invention is to improve and simplify the general construction oi' devices of this character.

A. second important object oi' the invention is to provide an improved i'orin ot iced gate control mechanism for use in such devices.

A third important object ot the invention is to provide an improved form ot gate control ior the gate of a weighing hopper in such a device.

A. iourth important object et the invention is the provision of improved means for holdingthe feed gate closed until all material in the weighing hopper has been delivered and the weighing hopper gate closed.

A. fifth important object of the invention is to provide improved means for ensuring the closing oit the feed hopper gate when V'the required au'iount ot material has been delivered to the weighing hopper.

A sixth important object of the invention is to provide an improved construction ensuring the proper closing ot the feed hopper gate prior to the opening ot the weighing hopper gate.

A seventh important object of the invention the provision ot' an improved forni ot ate tor the feed hopper ot such device.

W ith the above and other objects iu view, the invention consists in general ol certain a vel details ot' construction and condiinations ot parts hereinafter i'ully described. illustrated .in the accompanying drawings, and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and

Figure l is a side elevation of one form Serial No. 483,031.

oi'A an automatic weighing scale constructed in accordance with this invention.

l1`igure 2 a irontl elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation thereof, or portion olf the feed hopper being broken away to show the spreader arrangement inside said feed hopper.

`Figure i is a vertical median section on the line lV-IV of Figure Q.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the lire "Vv-V of Figure 1.

Figure o is a perspective view ot the beam traine.

Figure 7 is a perspective view ot' the weighing hopper gate or door.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a certain trip lever used in this invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a lifting lever 'for the hopper feed gate of the device.

Figure 10 is a perspective view ci' a trip rod i'or controlling the opening ot the weighing hopper gate ot the invention.

Figure 11 is a side elevation et a portion of a modified form of the device, the parts being shown in the position assumed when the weighing hopper is empty in full lines and at the instant of dumping the weighing hopper in dotted lines.

Figure 1Q is a perspective view showing certain of the parts illustrated in Figure 11.

Yln carrying out the objects ot the invention there provided a base 10 carrying a vertical standard or support l1. On the upper end of this standard is mounted an arm 12 having a suitable opening 13 inter.

mediate its ends. On this arm is supported a feed hopper 14 having a neck or funnel portion 15 communicating with the opening 13. This feed hopper is continued below the arm in a nozzle or delivery chute 16. Mounted ou the arm 12 and extending through a suitable opening in the rear of the funnel 15 isal feed adjusting gate 17 having a longitudinal slot 18 through which passes the shank of a thumb screw 19. By means of this gate the effective area ot the tunnel may be regulated so vthat the material in the hopper may be delivered at any desired rate, the thumb screw serving to hold the gate in its adjusted position. On the side ot the arm 12 is a graduated scale 20 and the gate is provided with an index or pointer 21 traversing this scale so that the required adjustment may be effected or the re-k set. to a previously nsel iliosfion without lil() difficulty. At the front of the machine is a cutoff gate 22 which passes through an opening in the front of the funnel l5 and is provided with a slot 23 and linger grip 2% Through the slot 23 and the arm l2 passes a bolt 25 so that the gate 22 is limited in movement and cannot be accidentally disengaged from the machine. rlhe lower end oli' the nozzle 16 is closed in a peculiar manner. Across the front of the noir/:le entends a 'bar 26 from which depends a series ot tufts 27 of bristles or the lile so that this part of the Closure, which Vmay he termed the gate abutment, ail`ords a multiplicity ot independently yieldable elements against which may engage the forward edge ot a 28 having sides 29 prolonged to form hangers 30 pivoted to the arm forward of the funnel as at 3l.. 'lhe gate is also provided with a rear wall 32 to prevent the escape of material in that direction; rlhis yieldable gate abutment ensures that the gate will assume its proper position when closed even if material from the hopper is caught between part of the gate and the abutment as the latter will yield locally allowing such partso'f the gate are not in engagement with the caught material to close on said abutment.

Supported on the standard ll is frame 33 carrying fulcrum seats 3d whereon rest the '.tulcra 35 of a substantially rectangular beam frame 36 having a rearwardly extending arm 37 provided with fulcra 38 on which is hung the link or clevis 39. ln this clevis is engaged the hook of a weight receiving` counterpoise flO. Arms ll extend 'forwardly from the frame 36 and carry iulcra 42 at their forward ends. On the side oi the frame 36 and one of the arms el is carried a scale e3 whereon is slidably mounted a `poise 44, these parts being of usual construction and use.

Pivoted on the frame 33 is a lifting lever for the gate 28. This lever is of inverted T-shape which has one arm 4:5 extending upward from the pivot i6 and having its upper end connected by a linlr 47 with the gate 28. rlhe lifting lever also has a forwardly ext-ending arm 44S and a rearwardly extending arm 49 carrying a counterpoise 50. Extending lupward from the frame 33 a lat-ch support 5l whereto is pivoted the `i'orward end of a gate lifting lever latch 52 which passes through an opening 53 in the arm 4:5, the rear end of the latch being reduced to form a shoulder which, u-hen the upper end of the arm l5 is in forward position and the gate 28 open engages the forward face of said arm Ll5 and prevents the gate shutting until the latch is released. Pivoted to ears 54 on the frame 36 is the forward end of a latch trip lever or arm 55 having an upstanding linger 56 engaging beneath the lift-ing lever latch 52 to raise the same and thus permit the arm e5 to swing forward. The rear end of' this lever normally rests on the rear cross-bar of the iframe 36 and depending from the lever adjacent said rear end is a linger 57 carrying at its lower end a roller 53 which normally rests on the arm 49.

.On the frame 33 are ears 59 between which is mounted an l.-shaped latch member having a depending arm 60 and a forwardly extending arm 6l. rlhis member is preferably termed the lower latch lever and its depending arm 60 is arranged to move lover and engage a shoulder 62 formed on the arm i8 whenever the arm Al5 is tilted forwardly. il] hen so engaged the arm l5 is locked in its forward position thus locking the gate 28 in closed position.

'At 63 is a weighing hopper which has on its sides saddles 64k resting on the lulcra d2 whereby it is suspended from the frame 3P. @n this hopper is a trip 65 located beneath the arm 6l against which it engages as the hopper rises. Luge 66 extend downwardly and rearwardly from the hopper and to these lugs is pivotally connected a pair of arms 67 carrying a weighing hopper gate 63 which normally closes the inclined lower end of the .hopper 63. This gate is normally held closed by Mla-shaped latches 69 each pivoted to a side or the hopper and having the stein of the "i" formed as a bevel ended hoolr 70. @ne arm of the El extends rearwardly of the pivot and oscillates between limit stops 7l while the other arm eX- tends forwardly across a U-shaped frame 72 which has its legs extending rearwardly and pivoted to a bracket 7 3 mounted on the standard ll. This bracket supports a delivery7 funnel ZA- into which. the feed hopper discharges and on the front of the funnel is a guide loop 75 wherethrough eX- tends a trip controlling rod 76 pivoted to the cross bar of the lil-shaped frame 72 so that the latter may be raised or lowered at will. The rod 76 is provided with a notch Z7 so that the rod when lifted may be swung sidewise to cause a side of the loop 2' 5 to enter the notch and thus hold the rod raised.

ln the operation ot this form of the device, which is that illustrated in Figures l to l0 inclusive7 let it be supposed that the feed hopper is full, thegate 22 closed and the gate 17 properly adjusted. rllhe gate 22 is opened after the poise has been adjusted or the counter poise properly weighted. The parts will now be in the position shown in Fioure 1. ilVhen the weight of material for which the machine is ad-l justed has flowed into the weighing hopper the latter will overcomev the balance of the frame 36 and the 'front of the frame will tilt downward. ger 56 lifts the latch 52 which permits the As the frame 'tilts the finarm 45 to swing forward and the gate 28 to close, this being effected by the weight of said gate. As the arm 45 swings forward the arm 48 drops and the latch arm (if) engages on the shoulder (32 thus locking the gate 28 in closed position. Up to this time the gate 68 has remained closed. ConM tinuation of the downward movement of the 'nf'eighing hopper brings the forwardly extending arms of the latches 69 into engagement with the U-frame '(2 thus releasing the latches and permitting the door 68 to drop under the influence of the weight of the material in the hopper, The charge of material thus passes intfo the delivery funnel under 1which may be placed any suitable recciiitacle such as a bag or box. As soon as relieved of the material. the weighing hopper starts upward releasing the latches (Si) from the U-fran'ie T2. Simultaneously the counterpoise 78 on one of the arms 67 closes the gate 68. After the gate is closed and the hopper ascends the trip G5 engages the latch arm 6l and lifts it thus releasing the arm and permitting the arm 45 to tilt backward and open the gate 28. The backward tilting of said arm is effected by the engagement of the roller 58 on the arm 49, `which causes said arm to support sufficient oi the weight of the lever 55 to overcome the tendency of the gate 28 to close. As the lever 5.) drops the latch 52 also drops and, upon con'ipletion of the opening of the gate 28, engages the arm 45 to again lock the gate open. The operation will be repeated until the hopper 14 is emptied or the gate 22 closed.

It will be noted that the counterpoise 40 and weighing hopper 63 are steadied in their movements by links 79.

In the modification shown in Figures 1l and l2 a slight change in the means for locking the gate 28 closed and releasing it at the proper time is disclosed. In this modification there is mounted on the rear of the weighing hopper a rock shaft 80 whereon is fixed a rock arm 8l connected by a link 82 with one of the gate supporting arms G7 so that movement of the gate 88* rotates the shaft. On the shaft is also mounted a finger 83 engageable, when in vertical position with a swinging dog 84 suspended from the arm 61. This finger is in vertical position only when the gate 68 is closed so that until this closing is effected the arm 6() holds the gate 28 closed.

There has thus been provided aA simple and efiicient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material principles thereof. It is not therefore desired to confine the invent-ion to the exact forni herein shown and described, but

it is wished to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

l. In an automatic weighing machine, a feed hopper, a feed hopper gate, a pivote/d lever, a link connecting said lever and gate, a latch arranged to engage said lever with the gate in open position to lock the lever against movement permitting the gate to close, a tilt-able balance beam, a weighing hopper carried by one end of the beam, and means carried by the balance beam and arranged to niove the latch to release position upon tilting of the beam Ain one direction.

2. In an automatic Vweighing machine, a feed hopper, a feed hopper gate, a lever having a` vertical arm and a horizont-ally extending arm, said lever being pivoted between its ends, a link connecting the vertical arm and gate, a latch engaging the vertical arm when the gate is open to lock said arm in open gate position, a tilting beam, a weighing hopper carried by said beam and movable therewith, a trip arm having one end pivoted to the beam and its free end lying loosely on the beam, an upwardly extending finger on the last mentioned arm arranged to engage and lift the latch to release the vertical lever arm upon tilting of the beam in one direction, and a second finger on said trip arm arranged to engage the horizontal lever arm upon tilting of the beam in the opposite direction and thereby move the lever to open the gate.

In an automatic weighing machine, a feed hopper, a feed hopper gate, a pivoted lever, a link connecting said lever and gate, a lat-ch arranged to engage said lever with the gate in open position to lock the lever against movement permitting the gate to close, a tiltable balance beam, a weighing hopper carried by one end of the beam, means carried by the balance beam and arranged to move the latch to release position upon tilting of the beam in one direction, a second latch arranged to lock the lever in closed gate position, and a trip on the weighing hopper arranged to engage and release the latch upon tilting of the beam in the other direction.

4. In an automatic weighing machine, a feed hopper, a feed hop-per gate, a lever having a vertical arm. and a horizontally extending arm, said lever being pivoted between its ends, a link connecting the vertical arm and gate, a latch engaging the vertical arm when the gate is open to lock said arm in open gate position, a tilting beam, a weighing hopper carried by said beam and movable therewith, a trip arm having one end pivoted to the beam and its free end lying loosely on the beam, an upwardly extending finger on the last mentioned arm arranged to engage and lift the latch to release the vertical lever arm upon tilting of the beam in one direction, a second linger on said trip arm arranged to engage the horizontal lever arm upon tilting of the beam in the opposite direction and thereby move the lever lto open the gate, a second latch arranged to lock the lever in closed gate position, and trip on the weighing hopper arranged to engage and release the latch upon tilting of the beam in the other direction.

5. ln an automatic weighing machine, a feed hopper, a feed hopper gate, a lever of inverted lm-shape and having its stem extending upwardly and its arms extending ilforwardly and rearwardly respectively, a link connecting said stem and gate, la latch engageable with the stem when the gate is open whereby to restrain the gate from closing, a tiltable weigh beam fulcrunied intermediate its ends, a weighing hopper carried by one end of the beam and movable vertically therewith, a trip arm pivoted at one end to the beam adjacent. its forward end, the free end of said trip arm. normally lying loosely on the rear portion of the, beam,

a tripy linger projecting upward from the trip arm to the rear of the beam fulcrum and lengaging the latch to lift the same to release position, a second linger projecting downward from the trip arm to engage the rearwardly Vextending arm of the lever, a second latch engaging the forwardly extending arm of the lever when the gate is closed to lock the lever in closed gate position, and a tri-p means on theweighing hopper engaga-ble with the second latch to release the same upon upward movement of the weighing hopper.

6. ln an automatic weighing machine, a feed hopper, a feed hopper gate, a lever of inverted lf-shape and having its stem extending upwardly and its arm extending forwardly and rearwardly respectively, a link connecting said stem and gate, a latch engageable with the stem when the gate is open whereby to restrain the gate from closing, a tiltable weigh beam fulcrumed intermediate its ends, a weighing hopper carried by one end of the beam and movable vertically therewith, a trip arm, pivoted at one end to the beam vadjacent its forward end,

ythe free end of said trip arm normally lying loosely on the rear portion of the beam, a trip linger projecting upward from the trip arm to the rear of the beam fulcrum and engaging the latch to lift the same to release position, a second linger projecting downward from trip armi to engage the rearwardly extending armof the lever, a second latch engaging the forwardly extending arm of the lever when the gate is closed to lock the lever in closed gate position, a trip means on the weighing hopper engageable with the second latch to release the same upon upward movement of the weighing hopper, a weighing hopper gate, and a connection between the ltrip means on the hopper and the gate arranged to move the trip means to inoperative position whenever the weighing hopper gate is open.

7. ln an automatic weighing machine, a feed hopper, a feed hopper gate, a lever of inverted uim-shape and having its stein extending upwardly and its arms extending forwardly and rearwardly respectively, a link connecting said stem and gate, a latch engageable with the stem when the gate is open whereby to restrain the gate from closing, a tiltable weigh beam fuicrumed intermediate its ends, a weighing hopper carried by one end of the beam and movable vertically therewith, a trip arm, pivoted at one end to the beam adjacent its forward end, the free end of said trip arm normally lying loosely on the rear portion of the beam, a trip linger projecting upward from the trip arm to the rear of the beam fulcrum and engaging the latch to lift the same to release position, a second finger projecting downward from the trip arm to engage the rearwardly extending arm of the lever, an L-shaped latch pivoted at its angle above the forwardly extending lever arm and having a depending latch arm arranged to engage over th-e forwardly extending lever arm when the latter is depressed and the feed hopper gate closed, the remaining arm of said latch extending towards the weighing hopper, and a trip means on the weighing hopper engageable with the last mentioned latch arm to move the vertical latch arm oii the lever arm upon upward movement of the weighing hopper. A

8. l'n an automatic weighing machine, a feed hopper, a feed hopper gate, a lever of inverted 'lm-shape and having its stem extending upwardly and its arms extending forwardly and rearwardly respectively, a link connecting said stem and gate, latch engageable with the stem when the gate is open whereby to restrain the gate from closing, a tiltable weigh beam fulcrumed intermediate its ends, a weighing hopper carried by one end of the beam and movable vertically therewith, a trip arm pivoted at one end to the beam adjacent its forward end, the free end of said trip arm normally lying loosely on the rear portion of the beam, a trip fingerv projecting upward from the trip arm to the rear of the beam fulcrum and engaging the latch to lift the saine 'to release position, a second linger projecting downward from the trip arm to engage the rearwardly extending arm of the lever, an

L-shaped latch pivoted at its angle above the forwardly extending lever arm and having a depending latch arm arranged to engage over they forwardly extending lever arm when the latter is depressed and the feed hopper` gate closed, the remaining arm of said latch extending towards the weighing hopper, a trip means on the weighing hopperen ige-able with the last mentioned latch a i to nove the vertical latch arm off the lever arm upon upward movement of the weighing hopper, a weighing hopper gate, a connection between the trip means on the hopper and the gate arranged to move the trip means to inoperative position whenever the weighing hopper gate is open.

(J. In an automatic weighing machine, a feed hopper, a feed hopper gate, a lever of inverted T-shape and having its stem extending upwardly and its arms extending forwardly and rearwardly respectively` a link connecting said stem and gate, a latch engageable with the stem when the gate is open whereby to restrain the gate from closing` a tiltable weigh beam fulcrumed intermediate its ends, a weighing hopper carried by one end of the beam and movable vertically therewith, a trip arm pivoted at one end to the beam adjacent its forward end, the free end of said trip arm normally lying loosely on the rear portion of the beam, a. trip finger projecting upward from the trip arm to the rear of the beam fulcrum and engaging the latch to lift the same to release position, a second finger projecting downward from the trip arm to engage the rearwardly extending arm of the lever, a second latch engaging the forwardly extending arm of the lever when the gate closed to lock the lever in closed gate position, a trip means on the weighing hopper enga-geable with the second latch to release the same upon upward movement of the weighing hopper, a weighing hopper frate pivoted at its rear to the weighing hopper and having a rearwardly extending' arm, a. rock shaft journalled on the rear of the weighing hopper, a rock arm on said. slmfft, a link` connecting the rock arm and the rearwardly extending gate arm, and a finger fixed on the rock shaft and rotating therewith between vertical and horizontal positions, said finger being arranged to engage and release the second latch when in vertical posit-ion.

l0. In an automatic weighing machine, a feed hopper, a feed hopper gate, a lever of inverted T-shape and having its stem extending upwardly and its arms extending forwardly and rearwardly respectively, a link connecting said stem and gate, a latch engageable with the stem when .the gate is open whereby to restrain the gate from clos ing, a tiltable weigh beam fulcrumed intermediate its ends, a weighing hopper carried by one end of the beam and movable vertically therewith, a trip arm pivoted at one end to the beam adjacent its forward end, the free end of said trip arm normally lying loosely on the rear portion of the beam, a trip finger projecting upward from the trip arm to the rear of the beam fulcrum and engaging the latch to lift the same to release position, a second finger projecting downward from the trip arm to engage the rearwardly extending arm of the lever, a weighing hopper gate pivoted at its rear to the weighing hopper and having a rearwardly extending arm, a rock shaft journalled on the rear of the weighing hopper, a rock arm on said shaft, a link connecting the rock arm and the rearwardly extending gate arm, a dog pivoted at its upper end to the last mentioned latch arm to swing loosely beneath the same, and a finger fixed on the rock shaft and oscillating therewith between vertical and horizontal positions, said finger being arranged to engage and lift the dog and its arm when the finger is vertical and after weighing the hopper moves upward whereby to move the depending latch arm oft' the forwardly extending lever arm and release the lever to permit movement thereof to open gate position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

RICHARD J. ZANONE. 

